IC XI

[Grognardsw]

Aquar, cleric

Aquar joins the group making their way to the orc "city." He talks along the way.

"It would be unwise to mount an excursion into the orc's home tunnels," warns Aquar. "Their numbers are great, they know the lay-out, will have traps. Our numbers would mean little in tunnel combat. We should think of a way of ambushing those who come out. Perhaps entice them out somehow..."

The cleric remembers the tale of a cousin whose group tried to take on a troglydyte lair. They all perished.

[Alethan]

The cleric remembers the tale of a cousin whose group tried to take on a troglydyte lair. They all perished.

Bwahahahahahaha... Yeah, but we went out FIGHTING!!!

[MonsterMash]

Thurgan, dwarf

"True tunnel fighting isn't you manfolk's domain. Best to ambush them when they emerge and wear them down".

[thirdkingdom]

Yarthmont 9, AC 1000

The adventurers proceed as planned. The wagons are hidden in as concealed a location as possible and some of the slower men-at-arms are convinced to ride bareback on the draft horses. The trail north is rugged and barely visible in places as it winds through the low, brush covered hills. Rhys ranges forward periodically with several hand-picked archers -- men who either claim a modicum of experience scouting or who seen capable of moving silently -- but they encounter no patrols. The going is slow; besides treacherous footing the need for caution slows the party down. Olgbol is surprisingly helpful and makes no moves at either slowing the part down nor making any more noise than would reasonably be expected.

By late afternoon the landscape has turned noticeably drier, the vegetation more sparse. Olgbol states that his home lies perhaps another three hours away by foot; it would be near night by the time the companions arrive.

[Wyzard]

Severi, Elf

Severi suggests that the party find as heavy a copse of trees as is available, and make what camp they can. He would prefer to approach the orcs in broad daylight.

[chap126]

Anohir, Priest

I second the plan to make camp, but we should post double guards tonight, and sleep armoured with our weapons within reach.

[Wyzard]

I'm not sleeping in armor. The house rules for that make it an unattractive option. You guys can if you want.

[Alethan]

Rhys the Traveler

"Anyone wearing light armour should sleep in it. If you wear heavier armour, it will probably impact your abilities the next day, but... It was good to have the added protection when a 500 pound cat leapt into our camp every other night and attacked us."

Rhys agrees with camping now and finishing the hike in the morning.

He suggests camping on the side of the fence that is opposite the direction towards the orc caves.

[MonsterMash]

Thurgan, dwarf

"Best to buy some leather armour to sleep in when we get back to town. The double watch should be enough to keep us safe".

I think not to sleep in armour is the best option

[thirdkingdom]

Rhys the Traveler

He suggests camping on the side of the fence that is opposite the direction towards the orc caves.

Hah! Uh, the picture I posted was more of a "set the scene" kinda thing and less a "this is what your campsite looks like exactly". There's no fence. That being said, it would be possible to move off the trail a ways and set up camp; the landscape is hilly enough that someone would have to be right on top of you to see you.

[Alethan]

Rhys the Traveler

He suggests camping on the side of the fence that is opposite the direction towards the orc caves.

Hah! Uh, the picture I posted was more of a "set the scene" kinda thing and less a "this is what your campsite looks like exactly". There's no fence. That being said, it would be possible to move off the trail a ways and set up camp; the landscape is hilly enough that someone would have to be right on top of you to see you.

Hope you know I was kidding, hence the spoiler tags.

[chap126]

Anohir, Priest

I've never suffered problems from camping the occasional night in armour before, but perhaps these hills are too rough for it... Luckily beneath the metal plates, I wear padded leather, so I won't be totally unprotected in an ambush scenario. Plus I'll have my shield. Are we agreed to double the number on watch? Perhaps the hills will hide us well enough, but I don't feel comfortable being so near where this creature says his brethren are.

[shaidar]

Murlsey, MU

I agree we should make camp and post a double guard. Maybe we should avoid a campfire too.

[thirdkingdom]

The adventurers do as suggested, eschewing the comforts of a fire and posting a doubled guard. Severi and Mursely spend the evening in study; Severi finally is able to comprehend the complex incantations and hand gestures needed to summon an enchanted arrow.

The night passes uneventfully, with no sign of orcs, although around midnight the temperature begins to drop and the stars become obscured by a heavy cloudcover. Lightning can be seen off in the distance, and distant peals of thunder echo strangely in the hilly terrain.

Yarthmont 10, AC 1000

Within several hours the wind picks up and large, swollen drops of rain begin to fall, gently at first before quickly working up to torrential downpour. Visibility becomes reduced to a few dozen feet, and the lightning strike grow closer. It quickly becomes apparent that the adventurers' camp may be suitable for hiding from orcs, but not from errant strike of lightning. Olgbol wakes and urges the party to move on: "We are not far from the ruins," he states, "and shelter may be found there."

[Wyzard]

Severi, Elf

"By the Seven Darks, I'll not cower like a rabbit in a hedge any longer. Let us go slay as many orcs as we are able, and then seek more comfortable climes."

[chap126]

Anohir, Priest

Ask the beast about the general layout of the structure. Are we looking at underground city, or more of a tunnel and room complex? It may be possible to traverse them in the latter case without encountering 100 creatures at once. The natural bottle necking of the tunnels will help even the odds.

[thirdkingdom]

Olgbol, Orc

The orc seems genuinely terrified of the storm, and does not seem to comprehend the question. "City made by men many years ago, and the ground has swallowed many buildings. Some remain above ground, some are still sinking. We only use a few -- the rest are empty. Empty of orcs, at least."

[chap126]

Anohir, Priest

Why is it so afraid of storms?

[thirdkingdom]

As if to answer Anohir's question a bolt of lighting strikes not a quarter-mile away; the following clap of thunder is felt as much as heard.

[chap126]

Anohir, Priest

Anohir narrows his eyes at the orc. I'm very suspicious of it. If I were captured by a small party of its kind, I too would urge them to go to my home city with haste. I think we should find better cover, but I don't think we should so hastily charge into these orc infested ruins.